Saints cornerback Dale Carter has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a low amount of alcohol was found in his system twice this spring.

According to a source, Carter stumbled during rehabilitation following his bankruptcy proceeding. The level of alcohol found in his system was significantly less than the legal limit, but there is a no-tolerance policy for alcohol for past violators. Beer was said to be the substance found in his system this spring.

Under the terms of the NFL's substance abuse program, players who violate the league's policy following a one-year suspension are suspended indefinitely. The reinstatement of an indefinitely suspended player is determined by commissioner Paul Tagliabue in consultation with the program's medical experts.

Carter signed a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Saints during the offseason. To help him on his new team, the Saints also signed his brother, wide receiver Jake Reed.

Saints coach Jim Haslett told The Associated Press he hoped Carter would be able to return sometime this year.

"Dale is a very talented football player and he will be missed, but we need to focus on the team that will be in camp next week,'' Haslett said. "Our team has faced adversity before and we plan to handle this setback as well.''

Throughout the offseason, Carter has been a solid performer in the team's offseason program.

The 32-year-old Carter has played 126 games during his nine-year NFL career and, despite missing a year and a half, is considered one of the most talented cornerbacks in the league. He played seven seasons with the Chiefs before the Broncos made him the highest paid cornerback in the league.

He's been to four Pro Bowls.

The move to the Broncos turned into a disaster when he was suspended. Denver released him last November, and he finished out the season playing for the Vikings.

Michael Hawthorne moves into a starting role, along with Fred Thomas, for the Saints.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.